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It was around five when the sun began to dip behind the horizon. Every occupant in the Thomas household finished packingup for the trip. Harry borrowed a robe from Dean and Katrina wore some of Heather's clothes. Everyone was ready around 5:30. Out by the alley, in the cool morning, Dean held out his wand hand. With a loud bang, the purple triple decker bus roared into the street and stopped with a noisy boom.

On board they choose a few beds to sit on for the journey. Harry and Lavender warned everyone else who never rode the Knight Bus before, "Hold tight." Instinctively, they gripped the metal bars. The bus jerked forward roughly, cautiously the inexperienced let go slowly. Harry couldn't shake a feeling away when they first entered, the hairs on the back of his neck prickled broodingly as he glanced at the back of the decker.

Three black-robed figures gazed at him underneath hoods menacingly. A red light zoomed over their hairs, tickling their hair. The men got out their wands as Lavender led the children up to the upper level of the bus. Dean and Harry faced off the unwelcomed Deatheaters. The middle, the tallest, laughed softly, "Yes, hide the children so that we may find them later after we rid of you."

Harry stepped forward, his wand raised, "What do you want with us?"

They stilled and the middle Deatheater pulled back his hood, revealing the identity of Lucius Malfoy. His white blondehai rin silvery streaks and tied back smoothly, his cold eyes stern. He certainly looked a lot more older and dangerous. Lucius drawled, "Well, if it isn't the famous Harry Potter returned from the dead. The Dark Lord will be most surprised to hear this. May I ask, who is the young child you brought with you Potter?"

Harry narrowed his angry eyes, "Leave. Her. Alone. Malfoy."

Lucius smirked smugly, "I'll be seeing you again." The Deatheaters Disapparated with a quick pop and silence filled the bus as it bounced along. No one said a word for the rest of the journey.

Finally, after some time, the Knight Bus stopped and they arrived toone of the Hogwarts carriages, riding to the giant carriage stopped in a few minutes and Harry gaped at Hogwarts, it looked exactly the same as it had in his sixth year. The sounds of happy cries came from behind the doors of the Great Hall. He turned to Dean, "I can't...I can't let-"

Dean sighed, understanding, "Lavender, take the kids to the Hall."

She obeyed. Dean led Harry and Katrina up the many stairs and to a large oak door, inside was sort of a suite. Midnight blue with two separate bedroom doors, a bathroom, and a fireplace. "It was supposedly for Susan and her family so you are more then welcome to stay. The password is dragon lips." Dean frowned, "I'll get you food from the kitchens but I seriously think you should consider coming downstairs. I mean, Ron and Hermione could well be there already with their families so-"

Harry looked up immediately, "A-Are they here?"

He shrugged, "I'm not sure. I promise not to say anything. Anyway." Dean looked back at him pointedly, "Think about what I said."

Harry sat down quietly and Katrina looked at him strangely, almost as if she could read his thoughts, "Mummy and James aren't coming, are they?" His green eyes widened at her and she looked away, saying nothing. Dean came back with food and they ate silently, going to bed early.

The next day passed in what seemed like a few minutes.

Harry knew that around this time the dinner Feast would be just starting. A knock came from the door and Lavender's voice drifted from behind it. She smiled as he opened the door, handing him a tray of food. She left as fast as she can and Harry closed the door, staring at the food.

He placed it down and asked his daughter with a small smile, "How would you like to eat downstairs for a change?"

Her emerald green eyes twinkled a little and they carefully left the room, heading straight for the Great Hall. The gigantic doors were closed. Harry considered going back then but it was now or never. He wanted to get it over with. He took in a breath and shoved the doors open roughly, taking in the sights of the Great Hall lit up with the familiar floating candles. It looked like a toast was going on. The Hall had the long teacher table and four House tables but they were bigger, and one new table sat in the middle. Everyone had raised their goblets and now every head was turned on him. The sounds of spilling drinks and gasps echoed the room instantly.

Harry Potter stepped into the clear, into the Great Hall, seven years later and very much alive.

He straightened himself and walked down what seemed like a great stretch of walking, ignoring everyone's stares. His daughter held his hand tightly, gazing at everything and everyone with a curious stare as Harry spotted Dean and Lavender. He smiled at them thankfully and sat down in the empty fifth middle table. The next few moments of absolute was deafening.

Harry suddenly heard a well-known squeak and looked down a table. There sat...Hermione Granger. He gaped at her. She looked so much older, glasses, tamer hair...so different yet the same. She made the squeak again and ran straight into his arms, sobbing.

Hermione cried, her voice echoing, "I knew it! Oh God, I always knew you were alive Harry!"

He held her close and felt tears trickling down his own face, "I've missed you 'Mione." Harry kissed her cheek and saw the older Ron rushing up to him. Harry smiled warmly at him and Ron hugged-tackled him as well. Harry laughed, slightly surprised, "I've missed you too mate." They were staring at him in a mixture of horror and shock. Behind them was a small boy Harry noticed, "Who's this?"

Hermione murmured, disbelief in her voice, "Our son Johan."

It was his turn to be stunned. "You guys are MARRIED?" He hugged them both, "This is great! Congratulations to you both!" They sat down at Harry's table and the Hall filled with buzzing whispers, the teachers couldn't utter a word. Even Dumbledore seemed speechless.

Hermione was able to find her voice and asked softly, almost curiously, "Who's the little girl behind you?" Harry smiled at Katrina who blinked quietly and placed a hand on her shoulder protectively, "She's my daughter."

Ron's jaw dropped, "You're married, mate?"

Harry avoided his gaze, "Not anymore." Hermione was about to say something and he interrupted, "Just...believe me."

Katrina spoke up, surprising everyone, "They're dead." The Great Hall was quiet again, listening eagerly. Ron and Hermione exchanged confused glances. "The mean men came to our house, Mommy could feel that they were there. She hid me, told me to not make a sound. The mean men came and they wanted to know where Daddy was and she refused to tell them. They hurt her...then went to James, a green light hit him and he cried really loud then stopped. Mommy tried to stop them but the mean men push her away. They said they'd kill her when Daddy came home. He did and Mommy told us to leave. Daddy and I climbed out the window and the mean men killed her, like they promised. Just like James had, and then we ran. Daddy didn't want to tell me because he was afraid that I'd be sad."

Katrina turned to her father, staring into his eyes hauntingly, "But I knew, I always knew it." Her emerald green eyes screw up tightly and she fell limp. Harry caught her before she hit the floor and cradled her, whispering horrified, "Kat? Katrina!."

He took her into his arms and ran out of the Hall, Hermione and Ron followed after him. Harry laid Katrina down in his lap and Hermione ordered to Ron forcefully, "Make sure no one is following." He nodded before going back inside. She said reassuringly, after checking Katrina, "She'll be fine. There's a pulse and she's breathing. I think she'd just exhausted."

Harry felt relief numbing his limbs. Everything was swimming in front of him. He heard Hermione shout, "Ron, help me! Quick! He-!"